Gem microscope having a swivel base and a stationary power cord

ABSTRACT

A gem microscope includes a base structure that supports the microscope stage, focus column, and optical head. The base structure includes a lower component that receives a power cord; the lower component and the power cord remain stationary when the gem microscope is in use. The base structure also includes an upper component rotatably coupled to the lower component. The upper component can rotate around the lower component to enable convenient sharing of the gem microscope by a number of users. The base structure includes an electrical coupler assembly that maintains an electrical connection (for the gem microscope power supplies) throughout rotation of the gem microscope.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/935,406, filed Sep. 7, 2004, titled GEMMICROSCOPE HAVING A SWIVEL BASE AND A STATIONARY POWER CORD, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,009,762, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/501,604, filed Sep. 9, 2003, titled GEMMICROSCOPE.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gem microscopes. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a gem microscope having aswivel base that accommodates different viewing positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art is replete with different types of microscopes. Gemmicroscopes are precision instruments that provide specific lighting andviewing conditions for magnified viewing of gems and jewels. Gemmicroscopes are widely used by gemological researchers, diamond graders,and jewelers. Such microscopes are commercially available from GIA GEMINSTRUMENTS and other manufacturers.

Gem microscopes employ at least one power supply to generate thelighting environment for viewing of the gems. A gem microscope receivespower from a standard AC wall supply via a power cord, which enters thegem microscope at its base. Some prior art gem microscopes employ afixed base structure that serves as a stationary platform for the stage,focus column, and optical head of the microscope. Others may utilize arotating base having a power cord that rotates with the base. The latterarrangement can be inconvenient when the gem microscope is used inpractical environments. For example, in a classroom or laboratoryenvironment, rotation of the gem microscope mentioned above requiresadditional free space on the table or bench to accommodate the rotationof the power cord. In addition, the sweeping motion of the rotatingpower cord can cause spills of loose gems, lab equipment, fluids, and/orother objects on the lab table or bench.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gem microscope according to the present invention incorporates arotating base that accommodates different user positions. The power cordfor the gem microscope remains stationary while the base swivels alongwith the majority of the gem microscope (including the stage, focuscolumn, and optical head). The gem microscope is suitably configured tomaintain the power connection regardless of the rotated position of thebase.

The above and other aspects of the present invention may be carried outin one form by a gem microscope having an optical assembly, a stagecoupled to the optical assembly, a knuckle joint having a firstcomponent and a second component, where the first component is coupledto the stage, and a base coupled to the second component of the knucklejoint. The base has a lower component and an upper component rotatablycoupled to the lower component. In operation, the lower base componentserves as a stationary foundation for the microscope, and the upper basecomponent (and the rest of the microscope) can rotate to provideconvenient viewing by shared users and to reduce clearance, safety, andspillage issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the following Figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar elements throughout the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gem microscope that embodies theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the gem microscope shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a base assembly configured inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base assembly shown in FIG. 3 in apartially disassembled state;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the base assembly shown in FIG. 3in a partially disassembled state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower base assembly configured inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an upper base assembly configured inaccordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a base assembly configured inaccordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a base assembly configured inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a base assembly configured inaccordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic representations of a light couplingmechanism within the base, and fiber optics for guiding light coupled tothe upper component of the base, in accordance with a further embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown anddescribed herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode andare not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in anyway. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of gemmicroscopes, power supplies, etc. (and the individual operatingcomponents of the gem microscopes) may not be described in detailherein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a side view, of a gemmicroscope 100 configured in accordance with the invention. Gemmicroscope 100 generally includes an optical assembly 102, a focuscolumn 104, a stage 106, a knuckle joint 108, and a base structure 110.Optical assembly 102 is coupled to focus column 104, and the twocomponents are suitably configured to allow positional adjustment ofoptical assembly 102 relative to focus column 104 (along thelongitudinal axis of focus column 104). In turn, the lower end 112 offocus column 104 is mounted to stage 106. In this manner, stage 106 iscoupled to optical assembly 102. In the example embodiment shown in FIG.2, lower end 112 is mounted to stage 106 near knuckle joint 108.

Knuckle joint 108 includes at least two components: a first component114 and a second component 116. As shown in FIG. 2, first component 114is suitably coupled to stage 106, while second component 116 is suitablycoupled to base structure 110. First component 114 and second component116 are coupled together to form a hinge that facilitates tiltadjustments for gem microscope 100. As described in more detail below,in the practical embodiment, second component 116 is mounted to an uppercomponent 118 (see FIGS. 3-5) of base structure 110.

Base structure 110 generally includes upper component 118, a lowercomponent 120 and a cover 122. As shown in FIG. 2, cover 122 isconfigured to envelop upper component 118 (not shown) and at least aportion of lower component 120. In the illustrated embodiment, basestructure 110 receives a power cord 124 that provides operating power togem microscope 100. More specifically, power cord 124 is received bylower component 120 of base structure 110. Lower component 120 isconfigured to provide a stationary foundation for gem microscope 110. Inoperation, gem microscope 110 should rest on a stable and flat surface,e.g., a table or a laboratory work station surface. In accordance withone practical embodiment, upper component 118 of base structure 110 isrotatably coupled to lower component 120. In FIG. 2, upper component 118rotates about a centered vertical axis such that it rotates in thehorizontal plane. The direction of rotation is indicated by the curvedarrow 126 depicted in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, base structure 110 isconfigured to accommodate 360 degree rotation of upper component 118relative to lower component 120. In another embodiment, base structure110 is configured to limit rotation of upper component 118 relative tolower component 120. For example, base structure 110 may restrict therotation to 270 degrees, 300 degrees, or any suitable angle of rotation.

FIGS. 3-5 are different views showing the details of one example basestructure 110 that is suitable for use with gem microscope 100. In theseviews, cover 122 has been removed. As shown in FIG. 3, second component116 of knuckle joint 108 is coupled to upper component 118 of basestructure 110. Accordingly, in this embodiment, knuckle joint 108, stage106, focus column 104, and optical assembly 102 all rotate along withupper component 118. Also shown in FIG. 3 are two power supplies 128/130mounted on the top surface of upper component 118. When installed, cover122 protects power supplies 128/130 and hides them from view. Powersupplies 128/130 can be utilized for dark field illumination, to powerlighting fixtures 132/134 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and/or to power otheraccessories on gem microscope 100.

Power supplies 128/130 are driven by current supplied by power cord 124(which in turn obtains current from any suitable source, e.g., astandard 120V household supply or standard 220V supply). In the exampleembodiment, lower component 120 of base structure 110 includes a powercord receptacle 136 that receives power cord 124. As shown, power cordreceptacle 136 may be integrated with lower component 120. Power cordreceptacle 136 may be configured to mate with a modular end of powercord 124, or it may be configured for permanent attachment to power cord124. Notably, power cord 124 remains stationary when upper component 118of base structure 110 rotates relative to lower component 120 of basestructure 110.

Power supplies 128/130 are connected to power cord receptacle 136 via asuitably configured electrical coupler assembly. The electrical couplerassembly is configured to maintain an electrical connection betweenpower cord receptacle 136 and power supplies 128/130 throughout rotationof base structure 110. Several different implementations of theelectrical coupler assembly are described in detail below. In accordancewith one practical embodiment, one power supply is used for the darkfield illumination (which occurs in the light bowl below stage 106), andthe other power supply delivers power to accessory lighting fixturessuch as an overhead lamp and/or an LED illuminator.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, accessories are coupled tothe microscope using special custom made electrical connectors 131 and133. These connectors may serve to couple different type of accessoriesto the microscope such as, but not limited to, overhead light 134 andlight emitting diode light source 132, as shown in FIG. 2. Theaccessories connector 131 and 133 are preferably used for transferringlow voltage (e.g., 0-50VDC) using a single pin for positive with groundbeing conducted through the connector material. The connectors 131 and133 provide flexibility in accessory positioning and have lockingwedges. In a preferred embodiment of the microscope 100, there are 3connectors including 1 connector 131 coupled to the base 110 and 2connectors coupled to the stage. Thus, 3 accessories may be connected tothe microscope 100 and operated at the same time. In an alternativeembodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, either or both of thelighting fixtures 132/134 may be substituted with a light outputcoupling mechanism 154 that may be optically coupled to a light emittingdiode light source 150 disposed in the lower component 120, whereinlight may be piped to the upper component notwithstanding the relativerotational positions of the lower and upper components 120/118, andlight is then guided via fiber optics 152 for illuminating the stage.

In the example embodiment, upper component 118 of base structure 110glides on a plurality of bearings 138 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) locatedbetween upper component 118 and lower component 120 of base structure110. The upper lip of lower component 120 includes a first bearingchannel formed therein, and the edge around the bottom surface of uppercomponent 118 includes a second bearing channel formed therein. Whenbase structure 110 is assembled, bearings 138 ride between uppercomponent 118 and lower component 120 within the first and secondbearing channels. Base structure 110 may also include a bearing race 140having a plurality of holes formed therein for receiving bearings 138.Bearing race 140 maintains the relative spacing of bearings 138 withinthe first and second bearing channels. As shown in FIG. 5, uppercomponent 118 is coupled to lower component 120 with a bolt 142. The topof bolt 142 is shown in FIG. 3. During assembly, bolt 142 is tightenedto sandwich bearings 138 within the two bearing channels, whilemaintaining enough play to allow free movement of bearings 138. Thisarrangement facilitates smooth and free rotation of upper component 118relative to lower component 120.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5 employs a wire harness 144 as theelectrical coupler assembly between power cord receptacle 136 and powersupplies 128/130. In this example, wire harness 144 includes sixconductors: each power supply 128/130 has a hot conductor, a neutralconductor, and a safety ground conductor. Wire harness 144 includes asuitably configured plug or socket 146 for connection to power cordreceptacle 136. Wire harness 144 can be located between upper component118 and lower component 120 (see FIG. 5) and routed through a holeformed within upper component 118. The individual wires in wire harness144 are routed to power supplies 128/130, where the appropriateconnections are made.

Wire harness 144 contains sufficient slack to prevent binding andtwisting during rotation of base structure 110. In the exampleembodiment, rotation of upper component 118 is limited in bothdirections by a stop pin 148 (see FIG. 4) that protrudes from the bottomsurface of upper component 118. When base structure 110 is assembled,stop pin 148 extends into the cavity defined by lower component 120, andcontacts the sides of power cord receptacle 136 to limit rotation ofupper component 118. Stop pin 148 restricts rotation of upper component118 to approximately 320 degrees, thus ensuring that wire harness 144does not become tangled or overly twisted within base structure 110.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment, the electrical couplerassembly comprises horizontal slip rings that allow free 360 degreerotation of upper component 118 relative to lower component 120. FIG. 6is a perspective view of a lower component 200 of a base structure thatemploys a horizontal slip ring arrangement. FIG. 6 also schematicallyillustrates how the power cord receptacle 204 and stop pin 148 (notshown in FIG. 6, but see FIG. 4) serve to prevent full 360 degreerotation of the upper component relative to the lower component, insteadlimiting the relative rotational movement to approximately 320 degreesin the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the power cord receptacle couldbe narrowed to permit still greater relative rotational movement above320 degrees. The system may be configured to allow full 360 degreerotational freedom either by permanently or selectively removing orre-positioning the stop pin 148, or by re-shaping the power cordreceptacle 204 so as to permanently or selectively not impede themovement of stop pin 148. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an uppercomponent 202 compatible with lower component 200. FIG. 7 is aperspective view of the bottom surface of upper component 202.

Lower component 200 includes a power cord receptacle 204 as describedabove in connection with gem microscope 100. Power cord receptacle 204is electrically connected to a first power transfer board 206, which isconnected to the surface 208 of lower component 200. Although hiddenfrom view in FIG. 6, the hot, neutral, and safety ground connectionsfrom power cord receptacle 204 are connected to respective conductivetraces 210 formed on first power transfer board 206. These traces 210maintain contact with corresponding conductive contacts 212 located onupper component 202. FIG. 6 depicts contacts 212 as positioned whenupper component 202 is coupled to lower component 200. Notably, contacts212 maintain electrical contact with traces 210 throughout rotation ofthe base structure. Traces 210 are preferably formed as continuouscircles to enable unlimited rotation in either direction.

Upper component 202 includes a second power transfer board 214, uponwhich contacts 212 are mounted. Second power transfer board 214 isconnected to upper component 202 such that contacts 212 protrude fromthe bottom surface 216 of upper component 202. Although hidden from viewin FIG. 7, the opposite side of second power transfer board 214 providesterminals or connection points for hot, neutral, and safety groundconductors that are then routed to one or more power supplies of the gemmicroscope.

In accordance with another alternate embodiment, the electrical couplerassembly comprises vertical slip rings that allow free 360 degreerotation of the upper base component relative to the lower basecomponent. In this regard, FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of abase structure 300 that incorporates vertical slip rings. Base structure300 includes an upper component 302 capable of free rotation relative toa lower component 304. As described above, lower component 304 mayinclude a power cord receptacle (not shown) or other suitable means forproviding operating power to the gem microscope. The hot, neutral, andsafety ground wires for lower component 304 are identified by referencenumber 306. These wires may be routed through or up a post 308 to acorresponding number of electrical contacts 310 (e.g., pins, brushes, orthe like).

Upper component 302 may include a round post 312 having conductivetraces 314 formed thereon. Electrical contacts 310 maintain contact withthe respective traces 314 throughout rotation of upper component 302relative to lower component 304. Conductive traces 314 are connected towires or other conductors 316 that are routed to one or more powersupplies used by the gem microscope.

In accordance with another alternate embodiment, the electrical couplerassembly comprises a vertically oriented transformer that allows free360 degree rotation of the upper base component relative to the lowerbase component. In this regard, FIG. 9 is a schematic representation ofa base structure 400 that incorporates a vertical transformer 402. Basestructure 400 includes an upper component 404 capable of free rotationrelative to a lower component 406. As described above, lower component406 may include a power cord receptacle (not shown) or other suitablemeans for providing operating power to the gem microscope. Uppercomponent 404 includes a first transformer coil 408 (e.g., an internalcoil), and lower component 406 includes a second transformer coil 410(e.g., an external coil). In FIG. 9, the coils are shown in crosssection. Second coil 410 receives current from the source via the powercord receptacle, and transformer 402 induces current in first coil 408for use with one or more power supplies.

In accordance with yet another alternate embodiment, the electricalcoupler assembly comprises a horizontally oriented transformer thatallows free 360 degree rotation of the upper base component relative tothe lower base component. In this regard, FIG. 10 is a schematicrepresentation of a base structure 500 that incorporates a horizontaltransformer 502. Base structure 500 includes an upper component 504capable of free rotation relative to a lower component 506. As describedabove, lower component 506 may include a power cord receptacle (notshown) or other suitable means for providing operating power to the gemmicroscope. Upper component 504 includes a first transformer coil 508,and lower component 506 includes a second transformer coil 510. In FIG.10, the coils are shown in cross section. Second coil 510 receivescurrent from the source via the power cord receptacle, and transformer502 induces current in first coil 508 for use with one or more powersupplies.

Alternative electrical coupling methods and techniques, such ascapacitive coupling, may also be employed by a gem microscope tofacilitate free rotation as described herein.

The various embodiments described above utilize a rotating basestructure having a stationary power supply cord. Alternatively, a gemmicroscope according to the invention may employ a fixed base structurehaving a stationary power cord in conjunction with a rotating componentthat accommodates rotation of the microscope stage and optical assemblyrelative to the base structure. Referring again to FIG. 2, such arotating component preferably includes a first element coupled to stage106 and a second element coupled to base structure 110. For example, therotating component can be implemented in knuckle joint 108.Alternatively, the rotating component can be realized as one or moreparts that are connected between knuckle joint 108 and stage 106 and/orbetween knuckle joint 108 and base structure 110. Such an embodiment mayalso employ a suitably configured electrical coupler assembly (asdescribed above) to accommodate rotation of the gem microscope.

The present invention has been described above with reference to apreferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art having read thisdisclosure will recognize that changes and modifications may be made tothe preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention, as expressed in thefollowing claims.

1. A gem microscope comprising: a base; a stage; an optical assembly coupled to said stage; and a rotating component having a first element coupled to said stage and a second element coupled to said base, said rotating component being configured to accommodate rotation of said stage and said optical assembly relative to said base; and an electrical coupler assembly positioned to provide electrical connections between a lower component and upper component of said base, wherein said upper component is rotatable with respect to said lower component.
 2. A gem microscope according to claim 1, wherein said electrical coupler assembly comprises a horizontal slip ring arrangement.
 3. A gem microscope according to claim 2, wherein said lower component of said base comprises a power cord receptacle.
 4. A gem microscope according to claim 3, further comprising at least one power supply connected to said power cord receptacle.
 5. A gem microscope according to claim 4, wherein said electrical coupler assembly comprises: a first power transfer board connected to said lower component of said base, said first power transfer board having a number of continuous conductive traces formed therein; and a second power transfer board connected to said upper component of said base, said second power transfer board having a number of conductive contacts configured to maintain contact with said number of conductive traces throughout rotation of said base.
 6. A gem microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode light source disposed in the base, an optical coupling and a light output coupling mechanism, wherein the optical coupling is configured to permit light to be generated by the light emitting diode light source in the base and to be guided via fiber optics to the light output coupling mechanism for illuminating the stage.
 7. A gem microscope according to claim 1, wherein said base is configured to accommodate at least approximately 320 degree rotation of said upper component relative to said lower component.
 8. A gem microscope according to claim 1, wherein said first element is configured for coupling to a knuckle joint.
 9. A gem microscope according to claim 1, wherein, the first element and the second element of the rotating component form a knuckle joint. 